What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to compare energy metabolism across different menopausal stages in women while considering body composition and movement behaviors.

February 23, 2026

Energy metabolism in resting and postprandial states might not be influenced by menopausal stage in women.

Key Points

This research aims to compare energy metabolism across different menopausal stages in women while considering body composition and movement behaviors.
Participants included 21 premenopausal, 22 perimenopausal, and 21 postmenopausal women assessed for body composition and movement behaviors.
Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation rates were measured using indirect calorimetry at rest and postprandially after a meal.
Body composition was evaluated through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
No significant differences in resting and postprandial energy metabolism based on menopausal status were observed.
Thermic effect of food was significantly higher in perimenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.
Positive correlations were found between fat-free mass, energy expenditure, and substrate use at rest and postprandially.

Abstract

• Menopausal stage per se does not influence resting and postprandial energy metabolism • Movement behaviors and body composition may help regulate resting energy metabolism • Follicle stimulating hormone is negatively associated with postprandial fat oxidation Menopausal stage per se does not influence resting and postprandial energy metabolism Movement behaviors and body composition may help regulate resting energy metabolism Follicle stimulating hormone is negatively associated with postprandial fat oxidation The influence of perimenopause on changes in resting and postprandial energy metabolism remains unclear. The main objective of the present study was to compare energy metabolism in resting and postprandial states between pre, peri and postmenopausal women, in considering the individual’s body composition characteristics and movement behaviors. Twenty-one premenopausal women (38.9 ± 5.0 years), twenty-two perimenopausal women (49.5 ± 3.8 years) and twenty-one postmenopausal women (55.4 ± 3.7 years) were included in the analyses. Body composition (fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM)) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and movement behaviors by accelerometry. Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry at rest (20 minutes) and postprandially 3h after a calibrated and balanced meal, expressed in absolute terms and relative to FFM. The thermic effect of food (TEF) was calculated. There were no significant differences in resting and postprandial energy metabolism based on menopausal status. TEF was significantly higher in peri compared to premenopausal women (p=0.03), but no other differences were observed between groups. Significant and positive correlations were found between FFM, energy expenditure and substrate use both at rest and postprandially (from p=0.049 to p<0.001). Postmenopausal women displayed an altered cardiometabolic profile compared to pre and perimenopausal women (p<0.001). When they have similar body composition and movement behaviours, perimenopausal women do not exhibit differences in resting or postprandial energy metabolism compared to pre and postmenopausal women.

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